I had several 70's Trans Ams, mostly 400 and 455 4-speed cars that were modified and I absolutely loved all of them - Even my 1981 Formula turbo that everyone put down. What a gorgeous car - Silver and charcoal with red, orange and yellow Formula stripes. Silver interior, mirrored T-tops, Red guages, 4 wheel disc, turbo lights in the hood scoop. My favorite has to be my 1978 medium blue 4-speed with modified 400 and 4.11 gears. Such a blast to drive. I can still feel the Hurst 4-speed shifter and see the shaker scoop moving when I accellerated - The raw power pushing you back in the seat. No other car has given me that feeling since - Seeing the car that started it all is truly awesome!
@robertc87662 жыл бұрын
i've had a 67 firebird, 72 firebird, 78 Trans am, 80 Trans am....69 TA is the absolute favorite car...maybe one day....
@RodeoRanger8 жыл бұрын
I bought a new 1977 Trans Am and I am still diving it 40 years later .....
@imanaxbert19377 жыл бұрын
I bought 2 in 2002 & still own both of them, as well. I hope to still have them in 40 years. Mine are both 2002s.
@Stylez-134 жыл бұрын
And I tough I had been driving my bird for a. Long time with 20yrs on the road lol
@Eremon14 жыл бұрын
Bandit, is that you? They sure could use another run of Coors.
@Bird-dl7xs4 жыл бұрын
How many miles do you have on it now?
@opera934 жыл бұрын
Thanks, I had to reply!!!! *I ordered a 77 TA/ special ED / Hurst Hatch::6.6 L/auto/air/velour Deluxe INT/ps/PBRAKES/delete WINDOW TINTS/rear Defrost/ AMRADIO,, in OCT 76( came from Hurst in Michigan March 1977, less SIDE PIN stripes).. Anyways, I worked a lot on it: ZIEBART RUST PROOF( maybe mistake as HATCH ES SEEPED WATER TO FRAME AND INSIDE)KONI SHOCKS, REDONE a automatic and INGINITIONS, OPEN shaker BUBBLE UP,TIRES, ETC, .. Anyways,got a long hard 15;years of Great driving and lots of Miles.. road salt from Northern Indiana , corrosion inside,etc, as my Hatches ALWAYS SEEPED AND LEAKED!, To hard to salvage, expensive.. Anyways, best driving car , high speed...Gross underpowered with my standard Engine, mine surprisingly FAST TOP END.. .. Also,interestingly, a **coworker also got a new 77 TA ( without hurst Hatch,( later to GM TTOPS)):: and he got the Special ED WITH 4 Speed/!TA Engine!, His did not last..
@389power10 жыл бұрын
Being a die hard Pontiac fan, it's great to see a significant car from Pontiac's performance history resurrected.
@barcrrt8504 жыл бұрын
I was a sophomore in high school at the age of 17 when this car was built. I can remember that terrible day when I heard Jerry Titus had passed. My world crashed. His name is one I will never forget. Pontiac is in my blood.
@juliomiranda64129 жыл бұрын
man tear ....my love for Pontiac runs deep and a very special spot for the Trans am .and that's the one that started it all for the Trans am thanks
@poncho67844 жыл бұрын
Wow. Thank for finding and restoring this piece of history! And for telling the story with the original people and their family who were there!
@stickpd78854 жыл бұрын
Never knew Gene Winfield had a hand in the development of the T/A till this vid thanks. Makes it that much more special!!!
@jerrycallo2 жыл бұрын
Could you imagine being in the room when Gene Winfield and John DeLorean were talking about the car. They not only developed cars they made automotive history that is still talked about.
@stevenhagebusch95616 жыл бұрын
as a early mid 60s pontiac full size collector you sir have a very iconic car from pontiacs muscle car hey day....thank you for saveing this wonderful part of the companys history
@Darryl66362 жыл бұрын
What an incredible story that was but also what an incredible car to see one in silver really brings out the body lines I always liked the ‘69 but wasn’t a fan of the white/blue paint scheme but to see one in silver INCREDIBLE!!
@LegendaryPontiac8 жыл бұрын
What a great story about an amazing car...huge props to all who made this happen and thank you for everything you all do for the hobby! Stay badass!
@jamiedriscoll9781 Жыл бұрын
4:50 "my step mother got off of her broom" no love loss there 😅
@MrJohnnyDistortion9 ай бұрын
And she traded it in for a Datsun 510.🤦🏻 A shopping cart with an engine. 🤦🏻
@MrGTO-ze7vb8 жыл бұрын
What a Great find..!! I didn't realize Gene Winfield was the original builder. He pinstriped a GTO for me back in 1988. So the 400 motor used in this prototype RA 4..!! RIP Jerry Titus...!!!
@w41duvernay4 жыл бұрын
SHOULD have installed a ram air 4 version of the 428.
@cobrales66664 жыл бұрын
My Dad had one of the first 69 Trans Ams sold to a private individual. It was a ram air IV.
@TheMrmmkkpro Жыл бұрын
Pontiac was always cutting edge , even in 1973-74 with the 455SD. They kept the T/A alive during the lean years. I own a 1972 455HO, engine only , I would love to find the chassis. Right now it lives in a 1975 Esprit with a 1973 front clip and a ram air hood. M-21 4 speed and soon to be a 3.08 posi rear gear. Been a Pontiac fan ever since I bought a 1968 400 4 speed in 1977 for 400 bucks from my uncle. I didn't realize what I had. I flipped her end over end and rolled a few times. I real goal is to find another 68 bird someday. Pontiac all the way. Cool video.👍👍🏁🏁
@nealivers74792 жыл бұрын
What a superb story, of Automotive History. As a 1970 GTO Convertible owner, I read a story many years ago, about Supercar Specialties, and Scott's absolutely brilliant Resto work. If I could have *ANY* automotive dream, it would be to have him and his team, restore my GTO, and take my Son & Daughter for a drive. One can hope...some day.
@vassa19724 жыл бұрын
Great stuff loved the Firebird Trans am especially the late 70's though the early 80's models. Never owned one but loved them to bits
@hgpiiihgp10 жыл бұрын
What a happy ending, great story. I have my own 69 Trans Am story but it doesn't compare to this piece of history. Well done sir, Thank you for sharing.
@michaelmesler62348 жыл бұрын
Just spent day one of two at Eastwood Parma, in Gene Winfield's class. Fun teacher had a great time!
@thebacdoc64643 жыл бұрын
To say I love the 77-79 Trans Ams is an understatement. My dad bought me a 79 black Trans am for my high school graduation present in 1981. It had gold velour interior. It was loaded with everything but t-tops with the olds 403 6.6 liter automatic. I sold it in 1982 for a 78 Silver Trans am, with black velour but had the T/ A 6.6 400/ 4spd, that car would smoke the 79 Trans am with the 403 automatic. My dad liked mine so well, he bought a 79 tenth anniversary limited edition, with the two tone silver, and silver interior. It also has red dash lights. For some reason though, my all time favorite was the 77 SE Trans Am Y88 with the t/a 6.6 but with the automatic. I loved the bandit edition, loaded with t-tops. I would love to find one of those today. I currently drive a FBO 2014 RT Charger Max that is fast as a Skat Pak. Always liked fast nice looking cars, but now I modify them. I still have never seen a 7T7 Trans Am on the road from Trans Am depot. Those things are beasts with almost 1000 hp, they say that's what the TA would look like today. For 100K though, I would have to pass though...
@spacetrucker29527 жыл бұрын
Good stuff. BRING PONTIAC BACK.
@donnash58137 жыл бұрын
I bought my 69 when it was 6 years old. I drove it daily for another 28 years. I kept it for 10 years after that but finally thought it would be better to sell to someone that could restore it. I have some great memories and pictures. I still drive it in my dreams.
@3613jeremy4 жыл бұрын
I love that she was restored right and brought back home to Michigan before she was destroyed completely the start of my favorite car deserves respect
@Xantylon742 жыл бұрын
Great story!
@spanky-doodle35134 жыл бұрын
I love the the story of this totally rare beauty, very honorable...
@faithismine1287 жыл бұрын
Very nice. I've owned 3. Miss them all.
@michael_house5 жыл бұрын
Really nice story. Thank you!
@jdogmcnasty19803 жыл бұрын
Why I love older cars! Look at that and tell me you see anything with that much character and style out today! New cars are just rolling computers. Love my GTA.
@pontiacmaniac77727 жыл бұрын
GM should surprise us in 2018 and introduce a new Pontiac and bring back the brand. That would be bad ass.
@zacharystewart66088 жыл бұрын
#blactfromthepast bring back Pontiac and other vehicle brands.
@yavin994 жыл бұрын
We need another GTO and Trans Am.
@MrDjh666 жыл бұрын
Great story I have a73 TA with 32k original miles
@MODELMIND724 жыл бұрын
Awesome! And the wheel rolls on!
@reginaldwashington92078 жыл бұрын
Glad to say I had a 76 Porsche red trans am with a 455 instead of the 400 very fun car they should have kept making them!
@brianstyles97688 жыл бұрын
Great car. Great Research. Great Story. Well-done!
@deanmcintosh6932 жыл бұрын
The GOAT of time machines 👌
@shawnandersen56387 жыл бұрын
I wish with all my heart that I had never sold my 77 Bandit. Who was to know back in the 80s that my number`s matching T/A would be worth what they are now. If only there was a way back machine. Some moment`s in life really blow.
@Stylez-134 жыл бұрын
So you wish you never sold it so you can sell it now lol
@MrJohnnyDistortion9 ай бұрын
You can buy one for 7K with 36,000 miles on the odometer.
@lv2surf6 жыл бұрын
WOW The Holy Grail of TAs!!
@imanaxbert19377 жыл бұрын
That car should have been debuted, more appropriately, at the Trans Am Nationals.
@the70oojudge10 жыл бұрын
OK I had to watch this twice!! Awesome
@pheirphon46803 ай бұрын
Thanks frien.😊
@Eremon15 жыл бұрын
Could you imagine finding out the old bird in your barn was Pontiac Trans Am #1st prototype? I'd never get rid of it. I bleed Pontiac red.
@bryantcurtis26654 жыл бұрын
Eremon1 I bleed Pontiac white with blue stripes
@Eremon14 жыл бұрын
@@bryantcurtis2665 That must look wicked when you do. lol
@patrickgr15475 ай бұрын
Go Norwood Assembly 🚘 with 3 shifts of Camaro and Firebird production long live the American automotive industry 🇺🇲
@jasonvogelsang70344 жыл бұрын
Richard Rawlings has the first 2 firebirds
@johndelvisco45286 жыл бұрын
I appreciate and respect all muscle cars because the truly have their place in auto history however everybody has that one brand that brings them back all the time and for me it will always be the Trans Am. I've had dozens of them and currently have 98 Ram Air Formula WS6 coupe, a 20th Anny TTA Indy Pace Car which was a Festival Car at Indy in 89 and I have a 79 10th Anny Daytona Pace Car which is signed by Burt Reynolds. The 79 is also the last car my Father rode in just a couple of weeks before his death. What a remarkable day that was and now with Burt's signature on it, I feel as if my Father and Burt are riding with me every time I go for a ride. Can't help but smile. These cars are not cars, they are a part of the family and share family memories. They communicate to us and have their own personality. I don't have that connection with any other sports car. The Trans Am will always be a family member to me and has been for over 40 yrs. Whoever says they don't like a Trans Am,,,,well they just don't like cars.
@williamboardman94766 жыл бұрын
YEAR ONE....Pontiac Performance parts locator....based on founder/owner's wanting to possess a 1969 Trans Am....as rare as they were in late 70s, early 80s...building a base Firebird to Trans am looks. 1969 was FIRST year for the Trans Am, so he called his parts locator / sales company YEAR ONE. His car is in most early catalogs, and he still drives it.
@timsacco6g6944 жыл бұрын
Great story!, it's just a shame it will never get driven again unless it's on and off a trailer, Scott Tieman is the best out there if I had the cash, that's who I would hire to restore my car
@erickort19878 жыл бұрын
this older dude I know bought a 77 trans am see from the dealership in 77,he trailored it straight to a climate controlled storage place,he keeps it up off the ground on jackstands...8,000!!!
@DidierAyelАй бұрын
I had a 1978 model... Orange with white interior and an 8 tracks cassette player.
@UncleGrowl3 жыл бұрын
The SCCA owned the rights to the name Trans AM. Pontiac had to make a deal, so for every Trans AM Firebird they made, the SCCA recieved $5.00
@Schumanized6 жыл бұрын
My #2 favorite car!!
@thomasbalzano24294 жыл бұрын
Owned my 74 SD since new and my 77 also
@winstonpaul33983 жыл бұрын
Nothing more than a 69 Camero body/ suspension subframe ... With a Pontiac engine ! and bells & whistles ...
@pheirphon46803 ай бұрын
So? When is our Race Date?😊
@scottsmith65716 жыл бұрын
Have #299 and #1397 of the 89 ttas love them
@GenerationautoTv9 жыл бұрын
Fantastic story, very very well produced video. I would like to talk to the person behind this video? I will email and hope to hear from you.
@spanky-doodle35134 жыл бұрын
Cheers pop!
@jasonvogue44874 жыл бұрын
I thought Richard Rawlings, found the Prototype? Am I mistaken? Maybe it was the first Firebirds??
@jasonvogelsang70344 жыл бұрын
Gene Winfield is a fucking genius
@PlazaMaya2 жыл бұрын
A 1st gen prototype sold on ebay wow. I wonder if they painted over the fire hydrant repair or if they put clear over it to show the scar. my vote is to show the scar.
@williamg25528 жыл бұрын
If PONTIAC had brought back the FIREBIRD instead of the GTO, they might still be here TODAY. Despite all of the GTO hoopla, that car only lasted for 10 years (1964-1974)The FIREBIRD LASTED 35 YEARS, 1967-2002. Pontiac SHOULD have gone with the PROVEN WINNER .A lot of people today simply don't realize ,that part of the reason why the GTO was discontinued in the FIRST place, was that the FIREBIRD was STEALING SALES from it . Just WHO made THAT stupid decision , ANYWAY ?? P.S. The Trans-Am was a FIREBIRD....NOT the other way around.
@DanielDenoted8 жыл бұрын
well in gto's defence. they should have never got rid of them both and they should have brought the gto years before 05. but Pontiac made bad designs and f it up. they should have keep what made them. gto. firebird, ga, gp, bonners. g8 was a perfect send off
@dylanhanes72053 жыл бұрын
Had a ttop 2000 model it's been my favorite car I ever had and I've had alotta fn cars drive a 05 gto and a 06 daytona charger now trans am was way better car than either and less issues
@faustinosantoyo75807 жыл бұрын
always wondered what is the difference between fbird and t-am?
@williamg25527 жыл бұрын
The Pontiac FIREBIRD is the parent car. The Trans Am was just one of several Firebird models....NOT the name of the ENTIRE LINE. The name of the LINE is the PONTIAC FIREBIRD. The FIREBIRD had several models over the years...including Firebird FORMULA, Firebird ESPRIT, Firebird 400, Firebird HO, Firebird TRANS AM etc. The PROPER name of the Trans Am is the Pontiac FIREBIRD Trans Am. Look at it this way: All Trans-Ams are FIREBIRDS...But all FIREBIRDS are NOT Trans-Ams.
@deecost10788 жыл бұрын
how much did the owner pay for the car when he found and bought it............thanks
@pheirphon46803 ай бұрын
All Original?😊
@UsefulEntertainment8 жыл бұрын
does any body know if since the prototype was silver, it may have inspired the 10th anniversary to be silver?
@PhenomProductions238 жыл бұрын
1969 Silver Prototype.. 1979, Silver S/E You might have something there.
@corkeymccaughan30682 жыл бұрын
I have a 1979 trans am iam the owner bought it brand new its blue love it
@Ladco777 жыл бұрын
I respect the need to preserve such an important piece of automotive history for posterity, but I can't help but be a bit saddened by the fact that it'll likely never be driven as it was intended again.
@steffyhobmann50377 жыл бұрын
Where is this Trans Am now?
@jeanhansen30163 жыл бұрын
I own a 1980 Chevrolet Scottsdale 10 4x4 pick-up. And a 1975 Ford Thunderbird.
@pheirphon46803 ай бұрын
Alright, 3o3 Does it make more;?😊
@aricsnyder58826 жыл бұрын
Gene Winfield. Legendary.. Just like Chuck Beck and Barris..
@douglasb.12034 жыл бұрын
Finding the car, researching the build, restoring it with care, and then the guy is leaning on it. Grrr.
@markmagee73244 жыл бұрын
Douglas, unlike the junk made now days, as long as you didn't scratch the paint you were all right, do that to the garbage made now days the whole roof might cave in, the junk made now are beer cans on wheels.
@keithleeuwen8777 жыл бұрын
Kool !
@spanky-doodle35134 жыл бұрын
The real true American story of our ambitions...
@chrisbeck37328 ай бұрын
That seems a bit odd. I know studying the Pontiac "Bibles" that Pontiac Developed the RAV 303 for this car. I can't imagine that the engineering department would ever consider putting a THM 400 behind that motor. Something smells here....
@Loulovesspeed5 жыл бұрын
Well done documentary on the prototype. Sorry Firebird fans but I always thought of the Firebird -except the first year 67 - as just an overweight Camaro. I never was into gigantic ugly graphics on any car either and that huge gold thunder chicken on the hood was just way over the top for my taste. The funniest thing though is Pontiac named the Trans Am after one of the most popular SCCA racing series ever, yet the car never won a TA race and even then it was a rare sight in the series. On top of that, Pontiac did not have permission from SCCA to use that name and they settled it all by forcing Pontiac to pay $5.00 per car to the SCCA.
@luiscameltosisrivera36738 жыл бұрын
EN ESPAÑOL!!!
@sykwookiee8 жыл бұрын
sorry...no habla
@florianchristianpilz73636 жыл бұрын
Hm great....Thanks John delorean too...dir Themen time
@jeanhansen30163 жыл бұрын
Montgomery,MN them two vehicles.
@Janet719909 ай бұрын
Introducing KITT
@sucapizda5 жыл бұрын
And I just bout a 2002 CETA. The last of the trans ams.
@pheirphon46803 ай бұрын
Skin texture and Stability is proven 😊
@johna.43342 жыл бұрын
Whitewall tires? What the...???
@steffyhobmann50377 жыл бұрын
So DeLorean is responsible for the GTO and the Firebird but this guy is specifically the Trans Am???
@pheirphon46803 ай бұрын
Yeah. We will handle the sneak attack. 😊
@sherrypendley98746 жыл бұрын
We have a 79 TA to sell
@pheirphon46803 ай бұрын
Uni body 😊
@khaledEDFawaz6 ай бұрын
Where did the native Firebird on trans am become Chicken?
@zackraschka11836 жыл бұрын
Guy sounds like Freddie Roach
@trillrifaxegrindor44115 жыл бұрын
keep them alive and attainable by the average man,having 3 million dollar muscle-cars goes against the original idea of what a muscle car is. fuck barrett jackson,bring back the real muscle car to the masses.
@jerrycallo2 жыл бұрын
Amen brother, what made them great and perpetuated the following was that they were affordable. Henry Ford proved that 100 years ago.
@chrisholcombe1376 жыл бұрын
GOOGLE : PONTIAC GTO 382 ! PHS DOCUMENTED FIREBIRD WT5 JUDGE! Or GOOGLE : 1970 TRANS AM 455 WT5
@aricsnyder58826 жыл бұрын
Leave rare cars original.. The rest of early models pro mod them take a 65 Impala and make it run VIR within .005 laps of a 2018 Rustang or ZL1 Camaro
@spanky-doodle35134 жыл бұрын
Made me wanna say rc bep
@kenkenneth86498 жыл бұрын
Great story but he resold the car, He did it for cash not for the love of the car.
@sykwookiee8 жыл бұрын
....and?
@RodeoRanger8 жыл бұрын
Loving a car is only worth so much ....
@jerrycallo2 жыл бұрын
You could tell when he was talking that it was like a shinny new toy to a kid. He was going to play with it for a while and that would be it. He was there to tell this "wonderful" story just to hype it, and turn a quick profit.
@Bungle2 жыл бұрын
I don't like the heavy metal guitar soundtrack playing while the dude talks. Just let him talk.
@pheirphon46803 ай бұрын
Sorry Pairht(Friend), I am not Close to my mother or father.
@78tranzamman438 жыл бұрын
So weird to see old men with no eyebrows but with a thick head of hair of a wig...